Tag Mclaren Dynamic Duo or not ?

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I have a Tag Mclaren AV32R(5.1) & 5x100R Power amp, Denon DVD-2930. Panasonic TX-L37G10 LCD, Sky + (hopefully to upgrade to HD very soon) and soon to purchase PS3 Slim. Speakers B&W P4 front, M&K ZENON LCR 36 center & rears.

Question really should I be upgrading the Tag duo as it was a formidable five star winner of old to newer technology or is it still a worthy performer and any upgrade money spent in other areas ?. I have approx £1500 for upgrading, possibly more if I sold the Tag's on ebay have been looking at some of the pioneer receivers around this price and the Sony review winner. Original reasons for buying the Tag duo was that it is excellent with both music and movies and I do like my kit to look good also, which sadly is lacking on the Sony.

Also maybe should be listing this in another forum but is I am a new member today, I have very, very expensive Chord interconnections on a my kit which were purchased around the same time as the Tag so over 10 years old, will this have degraded and need replacing or should they just be cleaned on the contact points.

Appreciate any answers/solutions you can recommended as I have been bitten buy the Hifi bug again !!

 

[Andrew Everard]

I'd stick with the TAG, as IME there's not much out there able to beat it. The only real deficiencies are in video switching and decoding of the new HD audio formats, but this can be got round with multiple connections to the TV for video, and a Blu-ray player with onboard HD decoding, connected in multichannel analogue to the TAG processor.

Your cables will be fine with a quick wash and brush up on the plugs and sockets.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Andrew,

Many thanks for your response. I can see where you are coming from with the HD audio signals and they would have to come from BDPlayer onboard decoder and connected to the phono 5.1 analogue inputs. On an older tag forum I noticed that you mentioned that the AV32R needs to be put into analogue 5.1 bypass mode ?. Is this the case, as am uncertain if my TAG has this and if not is it only a case of having the right sofware version loaded ?. If it do not have it pressumably it would just decode dolby digital 5.1 ?.

What would you recommended to wash and clean interconnects with ?.

Many thanks,

Steve

 

[Andrew Everard]

If it has the multichannel analogue inputs, you'll be fine.

For the connections I'd suggest a spot of isopropyl alcohol, or some Brasso or Duraglit, or any one of a number of proprietary - and thus more expensive - contact cleaners. such as this

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Andrew,

Have been looking into the Audiolab 8000AP as I do not have the Analogue 5.1 Bypass function on my AV32R, would the Audiolab be seen as an upgrade in terms of performance or should I stick with the Tag with standard DTS & Dolby digital ?.I now have the PS3 slim for blueray duties so adding the Analogue 5.1 Bypass would not be of any use unless I bought a dedicated bluray player. Alternatively I could sell both AV32R & 100x5R on ebay and put the difference to get the award winning Pioneer SC-LX82 or similar, but unsure whether this would be the way to go as its going back to one box. Your thoughts, suggestions would be most appreciated.

Also have you heard of any issues with lyp synch when using PS3 slim using HDMI for picture, but outputing DD or DTS via its optical output to the AV32R, in particular Wolverine Bluray is miles out through most of the film. Will have a look if I can correct with the AV32R lyp sync function, but its tricky to do the on-screen menus now with the Tag when using HDMI for pictures as used to be able to use the s-video with SD DVD player and superimpose the OSD menu. All my HDMI cables are the latest spec QED ones. Other BD seem to be ok though.

Thanks

Steve

 

[Andrew Everard]

I don't think the 8000AP is a step up from the AV32R - it's based on the lesser AV30 processor.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Andrew,

Still confused as to what to do. I have the chance to purchase AV32Rbp192 DP with 5.1 analogue by-pass input, that possibly will sell to me for approx £ 600-650. Would this be much of a performance upgrade over my totally standard AV32R if yes what areas would be improved ? and is this a fair price ?. I would be partnering it with my existing TAG 100x5R amp. Alternatively do I wait until someone brings out a tip-top Processor with all the latest HD formats etc, I know you mentioned in a different thread that Onkyo have similar for the US market.

I know you have or did have the AV32Rbp192 DP, how does it compare to a good AV setup with HD audio formats ?.

Is there are marked improvement with the Tag using HD audio via it's 5.1 analogue by-pass inputs as I understand the TMREQ function is not available in this mode. Have no experience with the TMREQ as its not on my current AV32R.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[Andrew Everard]

If you have a player with extremely good analogue outputs, then the full-works AV32R is still an excellent sounding processor, and the DP version has better detail, cleaner channel definition and more impact when decoding digital inputs.

As you say, when using the 5.1 bypass all this is - ummm - bypassed, which is why the decoding and DACs in the player become important.

 

[Anonymous]

Is there a blue ray player that has high quality analogue outputs that you would recommend that does not break the bank?.

And do you think £600-650 is a fair second hand price for the top spec AV32R ?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Well, the Sony 760 would be a good starting point, but above that the world's your oyster. It depends what 'breaking the bank' means.

And yes, that does sound like a good price for a processor originally pitched at £3k+, but I'd want to see and hear it working first, and establish what servicing support remains for these products.

 

[topbloke55]

Having gone from a AV32R standard to DP earlier this year, it is a bgi step up when you engage the Room EQ, although this is not available on the 5.1 bypass it does sound stunning. I use the Pioneer lx08 with mine.

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:I don't think the 8000AP is a step up from the AV32R - it's based on the lesser AV30 processor.

Ermm, no it's not. It was a new design and is also a dual processor design that the AV30R was not.

 

[topbloke55]

Mr_Orange:Andrew Everard:I don't think the 8000AP is a step up from the AV32R - it's based on the lesser AV30 processor.

Ermm, not it's not. It was a new design and is also a dual processor design that the AV30R was not.

That maybe but it is not the same standard as the AV32R DP, that is well documented in many reveiws. The Audiolab is more inline with the AV30 in quality, but even then some reveiws don't even put it as good as that.

Jelly, if my memory serves me correctly, Andrew has a Tag DP set-up ... do you need any more of a recommendation!

 

[Anonymous]

Topbloke,

What are your thoughts with regard to th latest HD audio formats ?. I only have the standard AV32R SP, but constantly looking on ebay for the right price AV32bp192DB as IAG upgrades out of the question on costs. I know that a BD Player can be connected to an analogue 5.1 bypass input, but I dont have that either. How do the HD formats sound through the AV32R bypass as I hear a huge amount of praise for TMREQ, but understand this is not active with bypass. Really unsure what to do, I love the TAG, but concerned that as excellent and futureproof as it was, I can but help think about HD audio alternative from maybe a good quality receiver but amplification via my 100x5R. What are your thoughts ?

Jelly

 

[Andrew Everard]

Mr_Orange:Andrew Everard:I don't think the 8000AP is a step up from the AV32R - it's based on the lesser AV30 processor.

Ermm, not it's not. It was a new design and is also a dual processor design that the AV30R was not.

Ermm, maybe you're right. I was of course thinking of the 8000AV. But I agree with the comments on the relative quality of the 8000AP and the full-fat TAG processor.

 

[topbloke55]

Hi Jelly

Well I have read many threads on the TMREQ against bypass debate. In my personal experience I prefer the blu-ray through the 5.1 bypass rather than the digital out passing through the TMREQ.

In my system I can hear more of the detail of the HD format everything sound more realistic, even without the TMREQ in place.

One thing I have done is used the output of doing the TMREQ set-up to change the settings on the sub out of the blu-ray player. Basically I have set the level slightly cool, about 2db below the rest of the speakers, which helps in ensuring the sub does not drown out the rest of the detail, this has helped tune the sound of the HD format.

Now of course it does depend on how you use your system, which may influence your decision. I use my Tag for everything and are a big CD listener. Therefore I get the TMREQ on all TV, radio, CD & DVD, so only Blu-ray in none TMREQ, and therefore 90% of my content goes through the TMREQ with just the movie watching once or twice a week not having the TMREQ in place. In my personal experience I do not feel I am missing out by not having the TMEQ in place, giving the dynamic range of the HD format.

Regarding an alternative receiver, would it have room EQ? Having gone over to that on the music side I could never go back, when I switch the TMREQ on and off to show people I am amazed at what I use to listen to and loved it at the time, but now it seems so muddy in comparison. Especially when I think I only have two filters on each of the two main channels.

In summary I would say of you like the sound of your tag going for the DP with room EQ will blow you away, through in a decent blu-ray player with 5.1 out and you will have a great system. Don't forget you will need the same cables from blu-ray to pre amp as you have from pre amp to amp, flee bay is always a winner for that, I have Chord Signature from Pre to Power, but Anthems on Blu-ray player to Pre and it works very well.

Hope that helps, I would say feel free to come and have a listen one day!

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:
Ermm, maybe you're right. I was of course thinking of the 8000AV. But I agree with the comments on the relative quality of the 8000AP and the full-fat TAG processor.

Aha, fair enough. I'm pretty sure the 8000AV was exactly an AV30R, just with a new face plate - I used to own one.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Topbloke,

Many thanks for you info, very interesting read. Would love to have a listen at some stage. Where are you based in the country ?.

Also what would you expect to pay on flea bay for a full spec AV32Rbp192DP with 5.1 bypass.

Jelly

 

[topbloke55]

Hi Jelly

I am SW London, now back in the summer I paid £1100 for my DP and sold my old one for £600 so it was a bit of a bargain on the all cost front.

Knowing what I know now I would have no problem paying £1500 for a DP and selling my old one for £500, when you compare to others on market my view is that it is cheap.

Good luck.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Topbloke 55,

Long time since I have been on the forum. I changed my AV32R sp 5.1 96Kkz for an AV32R bp sp 7.1 192Khz. Have also added a Tag 100p for surround duties, which frees up my Tag 100x5 for byamping my B&W P4 main speakers. With all setup am happy with surround sound wither either HD from multi-channel analogue outputs on my Sony S760 and DD5.1 via digital, but to 2 channel music, just sound terrible. Hopefully the B&W's are ageing and are the culprit's ?. What are the Linn Nika's like in your setup as main speakers, as I belive these are easily to by-amp and benefit well from it ?.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Jelly